Geraldine
Andrea Thompson
Fremantle Press
Local author Andrea Thompson’s debut novel was released last year, offering a captivating tale of Geraldine, a transgender woman, from childhood through adult life.
The story, which shares similarities with Thompson’s own life, follows Geraldine from her childhood in England, through a stint in Zambia, back to England for her teenage years, and finally to an unwilling emigration to Western Australia.
One of the most powerful aspects of the novel is its portrayal of a character who understands her gender identity from an early age. As a child, Gerald feels comfortable adding the extra letters to her name to become Geraldine, and as she grows older she slowly lets more people into her world.
Woven throughout the narrative is a deep love of music, recalling a time when we would spend hours in record shops weighing up which piece of vinyl to add to our collections. Music as a pathway to self‑discovery – shaping identity and value – is central to the story.
Thompson’s writing brings Geraldine’s family vividly to life, and as the novel progresses and Geraldine’s world expands, she encounters an ever-growing cast of teachers, rockers, dubious scenesters, and eventually counsellors and doctors, then friends and lovers.
The latter part of the book, set in Perth, also offers a lovely reminiscence of the city’s music scene, back when bands could be found playing at the Subiaco Hotel, the Cloverdale Hotel, and The Charles.
Geraldine’s journey sees her face many challenges in becoming who she knows she is, but it is ultimately a tale of triumph, survival, and persistence. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
